The senior team’s season might hinge on how the Europa League campaign goes but it’s an exciting time for the Manchester United academy.
Despite the recent loss in the FA Youth Cup semifinals, the long-term outlook of the team looks extremely positive with exciting youngsters aplenty.
Players like Chido Obi and Harry Amass have already been fast-tracked and given their debuts by Ruben Amorim and Bendito Mantato could follow soon.
Beyond the “big” names, however, there is an underrated gem who’s been namechecked by U18s manager Adam Lawrence as someone with “good potential”.
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Adam Lawrence on Man Utd youngster with ‘good potential’
The last time Man Utd won the FA Youth Cup, the senior team received the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo as gifts.
The feat hasn’t been repeated this time but the batch is nonetheless extremely highly-rated because players who would be wonderkids elsewhere are flying under the radar now.
One such player has already made the bench under Ruben Amorim but is yet to make his debut.
He’s received the ultimate compliment from Adam Lawrence in the wake of United’s elimination from the FA Youth Cup.
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Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Lawrence singled out goalkeeper William Murdock as someone who has ‘good potential’ and has shown great progress this season.
Lawrence said: “We were speaking earlier about Will and the steady progression that he has shown throughout the season. He has always been someone that we think has got good potential.
“The saves stand out, but it’s been noticeable things like seeing him come for crosses when corners are coming in and claiming high balls.
“He’s been very, very good at that and he’s made a noticeable improvement with his feet as well in terms of receiving and the detail of his passes. Obviously, he’s got a long way to go and a lot to work on, but you’re right in terms of he has stood out in this tournament.”
William Murdock adds to Man Utd’s goalkeeping riches
Murdock is just 17 but he could be forgiven for thinking that the path to the first team looks extremely daunting even as a youngster.
It is pretty anti-climactic that the most shaky position at the club right now among goalkeepers is that of the first-choice one at the senior level!
Andre Onana has struggled for form but in the academy, there are a number of prospects who can stake a claim in the future. William Murdock adds to it.
At the club, Elyh Harrison has been impressive and returned from his first loan in January with credit to his name.
Away from the club, Radek Vitek has shone at BW Linz in Austria to add to his pre-season heroics at Man Utd this season. The club needs to make a decision on him.
United have three academy goalkeepers who have the long-term potential to challenge for the No. 1 spot but unfortunately, that’s a position where there’s rare rotation and only one vacancy.
Murdock is doing his best and he already has Lawrence’s blessings.